“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7 ESV). Paul instructed the Corinthians on how to give toward the collection for the saints in Jerusalem. He emphasized that giving must come from the heart. The Greek word translated
Chapter: 9
WHATEVER YOUR HAND FINDS TO DO
“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going” (Ecclesiastes 9:10 ESV). Solomon continued his study of life “under the sun,” limiting his observations to the physical world. From this earthly perspective, the grave (Sheol)
SURRENDERING OUR RIGHTS
“Do we not have the right to eat and drink? Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?” (1 Corinthians 9:4–5 ESV). Paul wrote these words to the believers in Corinth as part of his defense of his
WHO CAN STAND?
“O Lord, the God of Israel, you are just, for we are left a remnant that has escaped, as it is today. Behold, we are before you in our guilt, for none can stand before you because of this.” (Ezra 9:15 ESV). When Ezra arrived in Jerusalem with the king’s commission and offerings for the
THE STONE IN ZION
“As it is written, ‘Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.’” (Romans 9:33 ESV). The apostle Paul quoted from Isaiah to show that Christ, the promised “stone” laid by God in Zion, had become both a
GREATNESS IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD
“For he who is least among you all is the one who is great” (Luke 9:48 ESV). Jesus corrected His disciples’ understanding of greatness. For they had been arguing about who among them was the greatest. Instead of rebuking them harshly, Jesus used a child as an illustration. In that culture, children had little status,
WHO WILL SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD?
“But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:27 ESV). The Kingdom of God is a mystery. For Jesus described it as both present and future. Perhaps the best explanation for this mystery was offered by George Ladd, who called
HAVE YOU LEARNED TO FOLLOW THE LORD?
“At the command of the LORD they camped, and at the command of the Lord they set out. They kept the charge of the LORD, at the command of the LORD by Moses” (Numbers 9:23 ESV). The Israelites who lived in the wilderness learned to live and move at the Lord’s command. His presence was
DO YOU HAVE A MIXTURE OF FAITH AND DOUBT?
‘Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”’ (Mark 9:24 ESV). This was the confession of a father who desperately wanted to believe, but still had doubts. This doesn’t sound like the greatest of confessions, yet Jesus healed the man’s son nonetheless. Jesus still answers the prayers of
BEHOLD, YOUR KING HAS COME!
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9 ESV). Zechariah’s prophecy, written 500 years before Christ, reveals the coming of a King